A two-step induction of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) activity during dendritic-cell maturation. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Prostaglandins, a family of lipidic molecules released during inflammation, display immunomodulatory properties in several models. One use includes exposure of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to a cocktail of cytokines that contains prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) for purposes of maturation; such cells are currently being used for cancer immunotherapy trials. Our analysis of the transcription profile of DCs matured in the presence of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and PGE2 revealed a strong up-regulation of indoleamine 2-3 dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme involved in tryptophan catabolism and implicated in both maternal and T-cell tolerance. Using quantitative assays to monitor levels of IDO mRNA, protein expression, and enzyme activity, we report that PGE2 induces mRNA expression of IDO; however, a second signal through TNF receptor (TNF-R) or a Toll-like receptor (TLR) is necessary to activate the enzyme. Interestingly, use of TNFalpha, lipopolysaccharide, or Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain (SAC) alone does not induce IDO. The effect of PGE2 is mediated by activation of adenylate cyclase via the Gs-protein-coupled receptor E prostanoid-2 (EP2). A better understanding of these regulatory mechanisms and the crosstalk between TNF-R/TLR and EP2 signaling pathways will provide insight into the regulation of T-cell activation by DCs and may help to improve existing immunotherapy protocols.

publication date

  • June 9, 2005

Research

keywords

  • Dendritic Cells
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC1895261

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 27144476792

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1182/blood-2005-03-0979

PubMed ID

  • 15947091

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 106

issue

  • 7